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Voting at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is nationally recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus through the Voter Friendly Campus program which is a partnership between Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA’s NASPA LEAD Initiative. Virginia Tech consistently sees high voter registration rates among eligible voters. In the 2020 Presidential Election 90.6% of the eligible student body was registered to vote and 72.8% voted in that election.

To ensure you are vote ready check out allin.vote/hokiesvote to check your registration, request your ballot, research your ballot, find your polling place or learn more about how to get involved with elections.

This website is designed to answer all your questions about voting as a college student at Virginia Tech. Most of the information is specific to Virginia voters, but we have resources for students voting in other states on each page. Check out these student voter guides for students from any of the 50 states! If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out to our team at HokiesVote@vt.edu.

Have a question about voting? Check our list of frequently asked questions below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a deadline to register to vote?

  • Yes. In Virginia, you must register to vote by October 15 to avoid submitting a provisional ballot. You can register before the deadline online using the allin.vote/hokiesvote if you have a valid Virginia driver's license. If you do not have a Virginia driver’s license and this is your first election voting in Virginia you must fill out a paper application. To fill out a paper application, you will need your Social Security Number (SSN).
  • If you missed the registration deadline, you CAN same day register to vote. During the early voting period (last day Nov 2) you can register and vote at the Election Office in Christiansburg or the Blacksburg Community Center. They are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
  • To same day register and vote on Election Day you MUST go to the precinct associated with the address you want to register at to cast a provisional ballot.

I am from out-of-state, can I register to vote in Virginia?

  • Yes. Students are eligible to use their campus address to register to vote. However, if you are already registered in a different state, that registration will be cancelled. You should contact the local board of elections office to remove your voter registration status in that state. You cannot be registered to vote in two different states.

I live on campus, can I use my residence hall address to register to vote?

I am already registered to vote, but I moved. How do I change my registration address?

  • To change your registration address, fill out another Virginia Voter Registration Application with the new address. You can do this online at the allin.vote/hokiesvote with a Virginia driver’s license or with a paper application.
  • To register to vote in a state other than Virginia, visit allin.vote/hokiesvote.

Should I register to vote in my college community or in my hometown?

  • That is up to you as a voter. Consider the following questions: where will you be for election day? Or if you are requesting a mail-in ballot, where is the best place to receive your ballot?
  • Also, when you consider the local and state races of Blacksburg and back home, which community are you more involved or concerned about? If you are keeping your registration back home, you can still have your ballot sent to Blacksburg for early voting.
  • Keep in mind that you can always change your registration address if you change your mind, but you should be mindful of voter registration deadlines.

Does my registration status change yearly or whether I vote or not?

  • No. You will remain registered to vote in Virginia unless your mail starts to get returned. If you moved and do not update your voter registration, you will be labeled as an inactive voter. If you do not vote or follow up within two federal elections, your registration will be cancelled.
  • Check your voter registration status at allin.vote/hokiesvote.

Can I register to vote if I am under 18?

  • You can register to vote if you will be 18 by the next general election. In Virginia 16-17 year-olds can pre-register for the general election. This might not be true for other states.

I am unable to vote in-person on Election Day. Can I vote early in Virginia?

  • Yes! Early voting starts on September 20 and ends on November 2, at 5 p.m. at your local registrar’s office. Find your local vote registration office. You will need to bring a valid form of ID—which includes your Hokie Passport.

Do I need an ID to vote in Virginia?

What is an absentee ballot?

  • An absentee ballot is a form of voting other than voting in person on Election Day. Typically, this refers to a mail-in ballot.

When should I apply for an absentee mail-in ballot?

  • Request your absentee ballot as early as possible. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 25 at 5 p.m. Virginia voters can request an absentee ballot on the Virginia Department of Elections website.
  • Outside of Virginia: visit allin.vote/hokiesvote, input your address information, and you’ll get additional information on what you need to do to request a mail-in ballot.

Are there any requirements to register for an absentee ballot in Virginia?

  • No. Any registered Virginia voter can request an absentee ballot for any reason. You can also sign up to receive permanent absentee ballots for future elections. For more information check out the Virginia Department of Elections website.

How do I fill out a mail an absentee ballot?

  • You will receive an envelope in the mail with instructions on how to fill out your absentee ballot. You may fill it out at your leisure.
  • For Virginia Voters:
    • Return your ballot to your local registrar location by 7 p.m. on Election Day (November 5).
    • If you are returning your ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your registrar by noon on the third day after the election.
    • You may also return your absentee ballot to a drop-off location. For more information on drop-off locations in your locality, review your absentee ballot instructions.
  • For Out of State Voters:
    • Out of state voters will want to check out their State’s Board of Elections to verify deadlines and processes.

Where do I vote? Where can I find my polling location?

  • Check out your voter registration status here allin.vote/hokiesvote for any state. It’s important to always verify your registration as your polling location may have moved or accidently purged from the poll books.

I am registered at my hometown address, but I am on campus on Election Day. Can I vote at the on-campus precincts?

  • No. You must vote at the location you are registered at. If you would like to update your registration to vote on campus, you must do that before the elections.

I have a disability. Will my polling place be accessible? What options do I have to cast a ballot?

  • Any person, regardless of their disability status, has the right to register to vote at any office or agency that provides such a service. A person with cognitive disabilities can be eligible to register and vote if not adjudicated mentally incapacitated by a court of law.
  • If you require assistance in reading or completing forms, please ask an election official to provide help or bring your own helper.
  • If you have a physical disability, you may vote on Election Day without leaving your vehicle. This is called curbside voting. If you are registered to vote locally and need curbside assistance, please go to your normal polling place, and then call the Montgomery County Registrar's Office at 540-382-5741. If you are registered to vote outside of Montgomery County, please contact the Registrar's Office in that county to inquire about their curbside procedures.